Aztec instruments

Before I talk about what my post is really about, I came across this guy named Xavier Rudd who is doing some really cool music and just happens to use a few Aztec instruments.

Xavier Rudd:

Is a 26 year old Australian solo artist who combines 'acoustic soul, manic fretwork, rhythmic stomps, exotic percussion, and modernized didgeridoo'. (see link below).
I thought he was a very interesting musician because he uses a few aztec instruments as well as the coolest instrument on the planet (in my opinion): the didgeridoo. He switches between 12 string acoustic and electric guitars, banjos, didgeridoos, slit/Aztec drums, and the Djembe.

As I promised in class, I am posting pictures and descriptions of Aztec Instruments that I didnt include in my presentation about Aztec Dance.

(I know it sounds morbid, but check out the link i provided about the death whistle... it's actually a really cool video).

This is an ayoyote hand maraca. It is made from a carved wooden (or bamboo) shaft and usually contains 12 ayoyote seeds on top.

The maracas they wear on their arms and legs are called coyoleras. They are made from about 50 ayoyote seeds sewn to leather bands.

These are aztec carved whistles. They were made from wood and clay. They sometimes depict sacred animals, and sometimes even people. Some of the ones that look like frogs actually sound like frogs.

There is also something called the "Aztec Whistle of Death". They arent really used in the dances or anything (and dont really have anything to do with our class.... ), but they are really interesting. In Mexico city, scientists found a human skeleton buried in an Aztec temple (devoted to the god of wind) with a clay, skull-shaped whistle in each of his hands. The idea of it was so ominous, that for 15 years after the find no one blew into the whistles. When they finally did in about 2008, the sound they heard was shocking! They said it was a shrill windy shreik that made their spines tingle. they said that if death had a sound, that would be it. Some were used to help the dead find their way to the afterlife, some were used to warfare, some whitsles were used for healing as well (probably not the death-whistle though). For the full article go here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,373702,00.html
To actually hear the whistle of death, and other whistles go here: It kinda sounds like someone screaming. http://video.foxnews.com/v/3908017/aztec-death-whistles

These are Aztec carved drums. The verticle drums are called huehuetl drums. Huehuetl drums are known as a single-headed drum with a round wooden shell. The drum sticks are made from a wooden handle and caribou hide wrapped to make the head. The drums that are played horizontally are called teponaztli. The ones that are played horizontally contain 2 key slits on the top and sides and are made thicker on one side than the other to give two distinct sounds as you tap on each side.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-paXVHdS28E&feature=player_embedded - go here to hear a demonstration of a teponsatli (it's played like a xylophone) This really funny guy is in it.

That's about it. Hope you enjoy the links. I found them pretty interesting, especially because instruments such as these are still being used today, in cultural ceremonies, as well as protests and anti-war peace gatherings.